Shelby Township Taxpayers Finally Get Some Needed Relief...

...from Skip Maccarone's political BS that is!

If there is one thing we dislike more than overspending and overbearing politicians, it is politicians who don't tell it to us straight. They spin facts. They conveniently leave out parts of the story. They talk around an issue. Or they simply refuse to answer a question.

Whenever politicians do this, our ears ache. What about you?

For eight long years, Shelby Township taxpayers have listened to Skip Maccarone's lengthy diatribes on everything -- and we mean EVERYTHING. Ask a simple question, and you will get a lengthy answer. Nothing is simple or matter-of-fact in Skip's World (sounds like the making of another political parody - stay tuned!)

Ask around, and Shelby residents will be nearly unanimous in their opinion. Skip talks way too much ... listens too infrequently ... spends way too much ... doesn't welcome public input or ideas ... talks down to his fellow elected officials ... and (most importantly) feels that everyone must share his opinions. People who disagree with Skip, or who have a difference of opinion, are belittled as "misinformed", "grossly uninformed", "misunderstanding the process", "misrepresenting facts" ... or some other scholarly way for Skip Maccarone to tell us that we are just too dumb to understand.

Oh well - so it goes in Skip's world.

Shelby Township taxpayers have suffered for far too long - but don't fret because help is on the way.


Thanks to the Skip Maccarone Bullshit Deflectors, township taxpayers can now watch the Board of Trustees meetings in the safety and security of their home, without enduring the agony of listening to Skip's constant and nagging BS.

An INSIDE OUT reader tipped us off to these wonderful devices after finding this website: www.wiseass.org/bullshit.

These remarkable ear protection devices work like this:

Whenever you see that Skip Maccarone is about to start talking, take your trusty BS deflectors and place them directly over your ears. The sleek, 21st century design will effectively silence Skip's political BS.

The picture at right shows how these BS deflectors work. Here we see a military veteran protecting his ears during a political campaign speech.

After years of asking what we can do to counter Skip's nagging and never-ending BS, there is finally relief for our aching ears!

Wouldn't it be great if Shelby Township taxpayers came to the Board meetings wearing these wonderful inventions? What a powerful message that would send. However, if you don't have time to make it to the township hall to watch the Board meetings, independent research firms have proven that the BS deflectors work equally as well at home.

To get your own personal Skip Maccarone BS deflectors, just click on the image above and save it to your desktop. Then, simply print them out, cut them out, and put them on. These BS deflectors can be printed in any size, to accommodate any size ear. So now both you and your children can be properly and fully protected from Skip's political BS.

These BS deflectors are not only effective in silencing unwanted BS while worn correctly (please follow directions to guarantee proper performance), but since they are printed on 100 percent paper (or cardboard, whichever you decide), they are biodegradable and friendly to our environment - and everyone appreciates that.

For extra impact, you might want to print the out on BRIGHT YELLOW paper to let others know you are not going to tolerate Skip's BS any longer!

Taxpayers who have worn these are amazed at the response. When your neighbors see these ear protection devices, and hear for themselves how they reduce (or eliminate) the political white noise from Skip Maccarone, they will definitely want a pair of their own.

In addition, when worn correctly, at at the proper angle of sound displacement, these deflectors will bounce the BS back to Skip - giving him the chance to hear his BS for himself.

This public service announcement is just another way that we at the INSIDE OUT are working to protect your health, safety and welfare.

If you have an idea like this and would like to share it with us, drop us an e-mail at stopskip08@aol.com.

DISCLAIMER: If worn incorrectly, these deflectors may still permit unwanted Skip BS into your ear canal - causing a nagging headache, nausea and ringing of the ears. If these symptoms persist for more than two hours, or worsen over time, consult your physician immediately.

Shelby Township Loses $1.2 Million and Skip Maccarone Is Not "Shocked"

Politicians never cease to amaze us and Shelby Township is no different. Our Supervisor has become a master creator of political spin.

Instead of telling things like they are, Skip Maccarone has made political spin a priority. And when it comes to spending money, the spinning has gotten so out of control that we have all grown very dizzy.

Why does he do it? For political gain, of course. After all, if Skip were to tell the truth, that our township is facing tough times, that the township spends more than it collects, that financial management experts are weary about the future, and that we are taking from our township's reserve fund (savings) to balance the yearly budget, how would that look? What do you think taxpayers would say then about Skip's plans to expand township spending even further, with a massive new $50 million township "campus"?

• Whenever Skip is confronted with financial information showing the township is teetering on serious financial trouble, he always replies that he has different numbers which tell a different story. He even complains that the township's financial experts are using "phantom" numbers.
• Whenever Skip is challenged about the overgrowth of township spending, he shrugs off questions and says the township has a good bond rating and is in "sound financial shape."
• Whenever residents voice concerns about spending more than $23 million for a police/court building, and $50 million for Skip's "campus" (especially without a public vote), Skip says he can bond for the entire project and not raise taxes. He then goes on to tell us that HE was elected to make decisions like this, and we shouldn't worry because he has it all figured out.
• And whenever television and newspaper reports constantly report that Michigan, and local communities, are suffering a foreclosure crisis, Skip tells us not to worry because he believes things will improve later this year. (NOTE - experts dispute Skip's feel-good theory about Michigan's economic recovery).

What really amazed us was an article from the March 26, 2008 issue of the Macomb Daily. Inside this story, about how Shelby Township is going to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars when the ACH (former Visteon) plant closes this year, we find a smiling Skip Maccarone unfazed by the news. When asked about the closing of the Visteon plant, and the resulting lost tax revenue to our township, Skip answered:

"There will be no major shock to the system."

The article went on to report that over the last three years, the plant "has paid nearly $300,000 in real and personal property taxes to Shelby Township." So, in Skip's world, the loss of $300,000 is not a big deal.

FYI...Here is a link to the Wednesday, March 26th issue of the Macomb Daily.

Titled "Shelby officials ponder future of Ford plant", this article reports that the closing of the ACH (formerly Ford/Visteon) plant this year will have, in Skip's view, no major negative impact on our township, or on Macomb County in general. After reading this article, we wondered how our township could lose hundreds of thousands of dollars of tax revenue, and not suffer any impact? What concerned us even more was the fact that Skip Maccarone did not seem bothered by this plant closing, the lost jobs, and the lost revenue to our township.

Then, at the Tuesday, April 1st Shelby Township Board of Trustees meeting, the issue surfaced. This time, however, Shelby Township taxpayers got a much different perspective on this plant closing and the resulting financial loss to our township.

Township Treasurer Paul Viar used the meeting to set the record straight about the situation with ACH. As it turns out, Treasurer Viar reported that over the last three years our township did not lose $300,000, as Skip and the Macomb Daily said. In actuality, our township lost $1,289,859 million dollars.

REPEAT — $1,289,859 IN TAX REVENUE LOST TO OUR TOWNSHIP!

We may not be math wizards, but isn't there a significant difference between $1,289,859 and $300,000? This news is shocking to us! What about you?

During the meeting, Treasurer Viar correctly said that a loss of such magnitude should be a shock to every elected official. He went on to describe, in detail, what the loss would be and how it would impact our township, the county and our schools. Thank you Treasurer Viar for telling it like it is and not using political spin (as Skip does) to try and disguise the truth.

Then, a few days ago, Treasurer Viar surprised us by sending an e-mail about this very same situation. We are posting it here for your reading pleasure...

======================

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

As Treasurer, I believe Shelby Township residents deserve truthful information about their taxes. At the April 1st Board of Trustees meeting, I spoke about an article from the March 26th Macomb Daily.

This article was written subsequent to a meeting that Supervisor Maccarone held with Automotive Components Holdings (ACH) to discuss the future of the property at 23 Mile and Mound. For the record, the future of this property is important to every member of the Board of Trustees — not just Mr. Maccarone.

In that article, the reporter erroneously said that during the past three years, the ACH (former Visteon) plant “has paid nearly $300,000 in real and personal property taxes to Shelby Township.” Mr. Maccarone was asked his opinion about this loss of revenue and responded “there will be no major shock to the system.”

Let’s examine the facts closely to see just how shocking they are.

Personal property taxes alone paid to Shelby Township by ACH (formerly Visteon), money for our township’s general fund, police fund, fire fund, and the police and fire pension fund, during the last three years was not $300,000, as stated in the article.

Instead, it was $1,289,859. The Supervisor may have a different take on this, but a loss off $1,289,859 to Shelby Township is certainly a shock to my system.

During that same three-year time period, ACH paid our schools $4,453,565. That included $2,970,000 to the Utica Community Schools, $407,854 to the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) and $196,954 to Macomb Community College, and state education taxes totaled $878,651. In addition, ACH paid Macomb County $516,000 in taxes, not including thousands of dollars for the SMART bus tax and a County Park tax.

All combined, during the past three years ACH has paid more than $6 million dollars in combined taxes to local and county government. Yet, the Supervisor tells us losing this amount will not shock our system? Using $100,000 per teacher as a basis, ACH paid the salaries and benefits for 16 teachers. Ask officials at the Utica Community Schools if they can afford to lose 16 teachers without a shock to their system?

Although the Supervisor tried to challenge the accuracy of these amounts at the April 1, 2008 Board of Trustees meeting, I want you to know that these figures were taken directly from the tax rolls. The Supervisor claimed at that meeting that the numbers that he has are different than what I reported.

When it comes to spending township tax money, when it comes to concerns about expanding township budgets, and when we discuss spending upwards of $50 million for a new township “campus”, the Supervisor never shows a concern. He always has his own independent set of financial figures that he uses to support whatever political issue serves his agenda. He even discounts official figures compiled by our township’s Financial Management experts.

This is not the first time I have raised concerns about the ACH plant. I don’t know whom the Supervisor thinks will make up this $6 million shortfall. Shelby Township taxpayers and homeowners should be worried when a loss of this magnitude is brushed off as “no major shock to the system.”

The ACH plant is scheduled to close later this year, and when it does, we will all be shocked.

A loss of over a million dollars to the township, more than $4 million lost to schools, and hundreds of thousands of lost tax dollars to Macomb County, should be a shock to the systems of every elected official.

Paul Viar, Shelby Township Treasurer
======================

What should we make of this? An industrial plant closes and working men and women lose jobs. Beyond that, however, our township loses valuable tax money, our County loses tax money, our schools lose resources and our parks lose money. Through it all, Skip's attitude seems to be "don't worry, be happy" as he keeps on spending...and spending...and spending.

QUESTION: When will this madness stop?
ANSWER: When we kick out Madman Maccarone and elect a new Supervisor who will put OUR priorities ahead of personal ambition.

So what should the future of this vital piece of property be?

That is a very good question, and one which our ENTIRE BOARD OF TRUSTEES should be involved in helping find the answer. Skip has tried to paint himself as the savior here, but given his past performance Skip Maccarone is the LAST PERSON taxpayers want involved in making these key decisions. Therefore, we strongly encourage all Trustees to get involved to help find a realistic and workable solution for this valuable property.

As Skip told told the Detroit News on Saturday, December 16, 2006, the property where the Visteon plant is now needs to remain industrial to help with our township's financial base. We agree with this sentiment, and hope the township does everything possible, working with officials from Macomb County and the State of Michigan, to keep it industrial.

Truthfully, the last thing Shelby Township needs right now is for some private developer to purchase the land and rezone it from industrial to residential. Look around. There are more than enough homes in that area of the township (Van Dyke and Mound from 22 Mile to 23 Mile) right now. We don't need a whole bunch of more homes glutting an already overbuilt housing market ... homes that would likely go unsold, adding little value to our township.

Check out this link from MSNBC which highlights the ongoing housing slump, and how it does not appear that this crisis will end any time soon. There is a message here for Skip Maccarone, but we doubt very much that he is listening ... or that he even cares.

The fact is that the closing of the ACH plant will have a shocking impact on our township. The mere fact that Skip Maccarone does not see it this way should alarm all of us.

This is also why, when given the chance to vote on Tuesday, August 5th, we need to send Skip Maccarone packing.

Maybe THIS will shock Skip’s system!

When Supervisor Skip Maccarone Gets Caught Lying, Why Doesn't He Just Stop Talking?

We literally stumbled across the cartoon above while conducting an internet search of political candidate websites, and couldn't resist including it on our blog.

This cartoon appears on the website for Michael Flynn, candidate for Shelby Township Trustee.

When we saw this we immediately broke out laughing. How truthful and how appropriate. Skip Maccarone sleeping at the wheel of a snowplow, while an outraged township resident vents her anger at being stuck in the snow.

This cartoon brilliantly explains why Shelby Township motorists were stuck in the snow this past winter. It also explains why people are outraged that on a simple issue like snow removal, Skip Maccarone could not help people who are paying his "grossly under-compensated" [his words] salary. See previous INSIDE OUT posting.

Although the snow which blanketed our township has melted, Supervisor Skip Maccarone's lack of leadership on the issue of township snow removal remains a sore point for taxpayers. Residents stuck in the snow this past winter are angry, and rightfully so.

Back in 2001, the Road Commission of Macomb County offered to help townships with snow removal during heavy storms. Shelby Township didn't take the Road Commission up on this offer, and this past winter we paid a heavy price.

Obviously aware that this is a major issue on our minds, Skip has tried to "duck and dodge." He insists no offer was made by the Road Commission to Shelby Township. He called newspapers (and even drove to the Macomb Daily in Mt. Clemens) in a desperate attempt to defend himself. Even after it was acknowledged (by Skip himself) that discussions on this did indeed take place in 2001, at the Tuesday, April 15, 2008 Board of Trustees meeting, Skip once again told a resident publicly that no offer was made. He tried to deflect and spin the information, blaming the whole thing on miscommunication.

We're not buying it! As we see it, this is not miscommunication. This is not a misunderstanding. What we have here is misrepresentation of reality by Skip Maccarone in an effort to save his political behind.

This snow mess came to light during a February 28, 2008 work session of the Board of Trustees.

WE HAVE ATTACHED SOME EXCERPTED MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 28, 2008 MEETING FOR YOU TO READ. Click on the graphic for a larger version. If you want a complete copy of these minutes, contact the Shelby Township Clerk's Office at 731-5102.

Another interesting point involves the videotape. Yes, the meeting was taped by Shelby TV. However, we understand that the tape has mysteriously vanished. Could it be that somebody didn't want the public to see for themselves what happened at this meeting? Something smells here, and NO it is not the garlic we had for dinner!

At this meeting, the Board met with officials from the Macomb County Road Commission. This is when taxpayers discovered that the County Road Commission floated the idea of helping with winter snow removal seven years ago. Macomb County Maintenance Superintendent Bob Mykytiak confirmed that the discussion with Maccarone did take place in 2001, but unlike Chesterfield Township and Clinton Township, Shelby Township (more to the point Supervisor Maccarone) turned down the offer

Township Clerk Terri Kowal discovered that the Macomb County Road Commission did extend such an offer to townships, and Chesterfield and Clinton accepted. She made this announcement during a televised Board of Trustees meeting (and you could tell Skip wasn't very happy). Mrs. Kowal was visibly upset that Shelby Township (more accurately, the Shelby Township Supervisor) did nothing. As a result of Skip's inaction, her office got flooded with phone calls from angry taxpayers whose cars got stuck in the snow.

When pressed about this by Trustee Jim Carabelli, Skip confessed that he did know about this arrangement with the Road Commission and that discussions did take place in 2001. He did that at the March 4th, 2008 Board of Trustees meeting.

An official at the Macomb County Road Commission has said (publicly and privately) that Shelby Township was one of the communities the Macomb County Road Commission offered to help way back in 2001. So then is Skip calling the Road Commission a bunch of liars?

Somebody is lying -- but we seriously doubt it is the Road Commission!

When you consider this situation in its entirety, you can see why other township elected officials are so upset.

Why did Skip Maccarone ignore an offer of free assistance from the Road Commission seven years ago?

Why did Skip not inform his fellow Trustees that an offer of snow assistance was made to Shelby Township?

Was Skip sleeping at the wheel?

Was Skip preoccupied with his massive $50 million township "campus?"

Was Skip more concerned with wasting our precious tax dollars establishing his one-horse "mounted division?" The horse has since left the pasture - and with it our tax dollars!

Did Skip have more important work to tend to, such trying to resolve the dispute between the City of Sterling Heights and Hillside Productions (Freedom Hill) by offering his legal expertise?

Whatever his excuse, the bottom line is that, here again, Skip failed to do the job that we elected him to do. This time, while complaining that Shelby Township doesn't get its fair share of revenue sharing dollars, Skip turned a deaf ear to an offer of FREE help!

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Skip Maccarone dropped the snowball.

Oxiclinton: The Solution Disgruntled Democrats Are Looking For

A good friend of ours (a Democrat by the way) sent us this video. Seems that our friend is very unhappy with the choices in this election.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!




After receiving this, we invited Dean to come and join the "other party" in this year's election. Surprisingly his response was: "Already considering doing just that. Senator McCain is like the grown up in this race. While Hillary and Barack bicker about who is more liberal, McCain is going ahead and outlining his plans and vision to move our country forward."

Competitive elections are very good for democracy. Sure, incumbents like Supervisor Skip Maccarone who feel their office is their birthright may not like competitive choices, but WHO CARES! The people are in control...and that is a fact that control-freak politicians hate.

We remain hopeful that Shelby Township voters will have a choice in this year's Supervisor's election. God knows we deserve it. After eight long years of being talked to death by Skip "know it all" Maccarone, we need a change. We need someone willing to listen, willing to work with others, and (most importantly) willing to put the people's agenda ahead of personal ambitions.

Election day is fast approaching. To sign up for our campaign to dump Maccarone, send us a note to stopskip08@aol.com.

P.S. We received a nasty e-mail a few days ago from an obvious Maccarone supporter (hey Skip, was this you?). Anyway, this misguided person just doesn't understand the reality of life today in Shelby Township. After belittling us as trailer park trash and telling us to pack up and move our trailer to Flint, this individual further demonstrated their level of intellect by claiming, with certainty, "Skip will win."

LOL...with a huge OL.

If you ask us, sounds like this sad individual could use a double-dose of Oxiclinton themself. We wonder if this is the same person who wrote to us a few weeks ago proclaiming to be a liberal Democrat supporting Skip, and saying that Skip will win?

Regardless, thank you (whoever you are) for your very thought-provoking and insightful e-mail and for taking time to read our blog! ;-)

We here at the INSIDE OUT will always stand up for your right to free speech - even if your hero Skip Maccarone does everything he can to silence it.

More Notes From Our E-Mail Files...

WOW! The e-mails really poured in after our recent entry concerning the creation of a Macomb County Executive!

Seems like people are outraged that Skippy, Tony and Bobby (the Three Township Stooges) have climbed aboard the County Executive bandwagon. This bothersome threesome has joined other prominent Democrats in pushing for a County Executive modeled after the one held by their political friend, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano.

This time, we will be sharing with you some more e-mails we have received from INSIDE OUT readers. Our blog has prompted people around the County, and indeed around the country, to see the truth about Skip "The Liberal" Maccarone. While he talked like a conservative -- talk is cheap. The fact is that Maccarone spends money faster than taxpayers can pay it. His current and future spending jeopardizes the long-term financial health of our great township.

(1) "Hey Truth Guys. I love the Three Stooges. Who couldn't. Having Skip portrayed as the overbearing bully Moe fits him to a tee. Keep up the great work!"
Thanks for the compliment! After reading about how Maccarone, Forlini, Cannon (and others) came out to support the largest expansion of County government since Macomb County was organized in the 1800s, we couldn't help but compare their antics to the Three Stooges. And, being from Shelby Township, Moe seemed a perfect part for Skip.

We understand that this entry, and our blog in general, has ruffled a few feathers. If that is the case, GREAT! We want to keep our holier than thou Shelby Township Supervisor on his toes. Unchallenged, people like Skip tend to get to overconfident and arrogant. Some even think they are entitled to remain in office as long as THEY want. Sorry, but the decision about how long a politician remains in office is up to the VOTERS ... and your time is almost up Skippy!

(2) "I am a taxpayer in Harrison Township, and your Three Stooges idea was a big hit with people here. Our Supervisor Forlini is as bad as yours in Shelby. He, too, is an arrogant and overbearing jerk. Must take after his hero, Maccarone! Do you know of any similar blogs for Harrison that we might find useful in our bid to get rid of Curly Forlini this year?"
Sorry, but no we don't. But we will keep our eyes and ears open, and if we stumble across one we will pass it along. Also, we will be happy to provide any technical assistance to help others who want to hold politicians accountable for their actions.

(3) "Skip Maccarone has to go, that is a given. We need a change in the Supervisor's office. But do you know if anyone is going to run against this moron?"
We haven't heard of anyone running yet. But we can't believe that a screw up like Skip would run unopposed. Somebody has to come forward to accept the challenge to bring new ideas to our township. God help us all if Skip gets re-elected. If you think his arrogance and his overspending are bad now, just wait to see will happen in our township is Skip wins again. Worse yet, if Skip's handpicked candidates for Treasurer, Clerk and Trustees win as well (Maccarone is actively organizing a slate of "Pro-Skip" candidates right now) then all bets are off about how high spending will go...and how high taxes/millages/fees/assessments etc. will have to go up to support Skip's spending. Our township, our families, our businesses and our collective pocketbooks CANNOT afford four more years of Skip Maccarone.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We have since discovered, from a search of the Macomb County Clerk's Election Department records, that a man named Richard Stathakis is running for Shelby Township Supervisor. Thank GOD somebody has decided to take on Maccarone. We will have more about this in a future entry. Until then, we encourage all INSIDE OUT readers to find out more about Richard Stathakis and (more importantly) join up to help him win in 2008.

(4) "How can the township be spending so much money? Look around and you see vacant offices and buildings everywhere. Great Lakes Hobby and Train even moved out of Shelby and into Sterling Heights. Does anyone care?"
Supervisor Maccarone doesn't care. He just wants to keep on spending as if the economy is buzzing right along. Skip's budgets (and Maccarone prepares the budget) have grown every year. At the same time, taxes and fees paid by us have also grown. Is it a coincidence that at the same time that the fees/taxes/assessments paid by homeowners and business owners have risen, so has the township's budget? What would happen to the township if the money dried up? Where would Skip get the money to support his increased spending????
CAN YOU SAY TAX (millage) INCREASE!

(5) "I can't believe the township stripped all the trees along Smiley Drive. My neighbors are furious. And yet, we still earn recognition and honors as a Tree City USA? Did anyone tell the group that gave us the award how the township stripped the trees? What a joke!"
The cutting down of the trees for Skip's "campus" was wrong. The township (aka Skip) didn't follow proper procedures. A site plan should have been approved first, and then the trees cut down. But here, the trees were cut down before a site plan was approved. THE PROCESS IS SCREWED UP. Skip is in such a hurry to get his $23 million (or probably more) police/court center built that, as he sees it: "damn the process, full speed ahead!"

If a private developer (us) tried to do what the township did in cutting down all these trees, we would be fined, or worse. Heck, Skip might even get one of his FBI buddies to open an investigation into what occurred. But the township cuts all the trees down, and gets away with it. In response to angry residents, Skip says that no trees were cut down that weren't supposed to be cut down. We seriously doubt that. Why else would Skip tell residents that he could move trees from one portion of the campus grounds to another. If trees were not illegally removed, why would Skip even mention playing a shell game with trees -- shifting them around from one area of the township grounds to another. Yah, like that's gonna' happen!

An interesting side note: Skip went on Shelby television complaining about how a private electrical contractor was clear-cutting trees near power lines. Yes, clear cutting of trees is bad for our township, but isn't there a bit of Skip hypocrisy (hereafter to be called Skipocrisy) here? The township clear cuts trees which abut residential homes and the response from Skip is that it needed to be done to build his campus. Then, a private developer clear cuts trees near power lines and Skip gets angrier than a hungry black bear in the spring. Go figure!

(6) "Thanks for taking the time to care about what is going on in Shelby Township. To me, Skip comes across as an angry politician. I remember when he made all kinds of promises about teamwork, cooperation and the like. Now, he just another lying, spending, and scheming politician."
What more can we say? That sums it up quite nicely, and is a perfect way to end this entry. Hey, are you interested in joining our INSIDE OUT blogger team?

These are but a few of the many e-mails we have received recently. As the 2008 campaign season heats up, rest assured that we will be watching, taking detailed notes, and expressing our views and opinions about Skip Maccarone.

If you have something you would like to share with us, especially as it relates to the township campaign to oust Skip Maccarone on August 5th, send us an e-mail to stopskip08@aol.com.

Unlike Skip Maccarone, we welcome your ideas and your insights for getting our township back on the right track. It will take some work, but we remain optimistic that VICTORY FOR THE PEOPLE is just a few months away.

Skip Maccarone Leaps Aboard the County Executive Bandwagon

Shelby Township Supervisor Skip Maccarone has been elected to serve the people of Shelby Township. Yet, while he has earned his "grossly under-compensated" [Skip's own words] taxpayer-funded township paycheck, he has been spending his time on other things that he obviously thinks are more important.

The most recent example of this involves efforts to create a Macomb County Executive.

There has been plenty of debate, discussion and disagreement about a County Executive - both this year and in years past. It was put on the ballot for voters several years ago, and was soundly defeated.

Times have changed, or so we are told. Now, enter Skip Maccarone and his entourage. For some strange reason, Skip wants people to believe that his experience as a lawyer gives him some sort of unique perspective on this very controversial issue. He has tried to portray himself as some kind of local expert on the subject of a County Executive. This is the same self-promotion he launched in the newspapers a few years ago, when he offered himself as some kind of legal expert in the battle between Sterling Heights and Freedom Hill. To their credit, officials in Sterling Heights were quick to respond "thanks, but no thanks!"

As reported in recent editions of the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit News, and the Macomb Daily, Shelby Township Supervisor Ralph (Skip) Maccarone, Harrison Township Supervisor Anthony Forlini, and Sterling Heights Mayor Richard Notte urged residents to support the County Executive form of government, which they say is vital for Macomb County.

When we saw this headline, our first inclination was "okay, this is April 1st...so this must be an April Fools Day prank." To our dismay, it was not. Turns out that the joke is on US. Amazingly, Skip Maccarone has now put himself front-and-center in supporting a big government Macomb County Executive.

We've said it before, and will say it again: Skip Maccarone is just another big government taxing and spending politician.

"I think the people should at least explore this by advancing it to the next level," said Maccarone, adding that an executive would bring jobs, businesses and more accountability to the county.

Skip Maccarone and others who support the creation of a County Executive want us to believe that having one person run everything would be better. Really? They want a strong figure, like they have in Wayne County, claiming it would be much better for Macomb taxpayers. Really?

• We are told (by Maccarone and others) that a County Executive will stop the erosion of jobs from Macomb County. Really? How? By waving a magic wand, saying "abracadra" and ending the internationalism of the economy and the movement of jobs to other countries? How? By single-handedly bringing thousands of jobs back to Macomb County? Not even an elected County Executive could pull that rabbit out of his or her hat.

• We are led to believe (by Maccarone and others) that a County Executive will have powers that the current Board of Commissioners does not have to eliminate the County's enormous deficit? How? By raising taxes (or fees, or assessments, or some other term for tax)? In our opinion having one individual in charge of making these important decisions makes those of us who value our hard-earned tax money nervous.

NOTE: Macomb County's current tax allocation is 4.56 mills, and it only levies 4.2 mills -- one of the lowest in the state. Creation of a County Charter would allow for a new County tax ceiling of up to 10 mills. That's more than a 100 percent increase in allowable taxes! Even though that higher tax ceiling is not required, it is more likely than not that Macomb County taxes will go up under a County Executive. After all, history has shown, time and again, that when given the opportunity politicians will raise taxes. There is a variety of reasons (excuses) they use to justify the increases, but nevertheless, THEY RAISE TAXES.

Here is one scenario for how this might happen in Macomb County. The Charter Commissioners that write the Charter for the County Executive form of government include a tax increase of some amount to run the modified and "improved" governmental structure. Having this Commission do their dirty work will give elected officials political cover. The elected officials will respond that we need the County Executive, and will say that they are not the ones proposing a tax hike, it is the Charter Commissioners. They will claim that the Charter Commission studied this issue very thoroughly, and as elected officials they are only following through with what the Charter Commission proposed. They will then likely deflect talk of the tax increase, pointing instead to the many "positive" benefits of their County Executive. They will do this over and over and over in attempt to drown out any opposition to their big government tactic. Make no mistake about it — the individuals who are spearheading the County Executive are skilled political operatives. They will use every tool in their toolbox to get what they want.

• We are told (by Maccarone and others) that a County Executive will create jobs. This is actually partly true. However, what kind of jobs? It is more likely that any jobs created by a County Executive will be for government bureaucrats working directly for this new County Executive, or any of the departments that he or she will oversee. Macomb County's government payroll will skyrocket (thus the need for higher taxes). Can you say political patronage?

Macomb County taxpayers working in the "real world" (outside government) understand that jobs are created by the private sector. Government officials (like a County Executive) DO NOT create jobs - except, that is, for government jobs. All this propaganda about how a County Executive will create jobs is a just that: PROPAGANDA.

• We are told (by Maccarone) that the current 26-member Board of Commissioners is "too divisive to serve in a leadership role" (Macomb Daily, 4/1/08). In that same article, Skip goes on to say that the County's "power is diluted by its inability to have a unified voice."

We find this comment from Maccarone very interesting. When it comes to divisiveness and the lack of a unified voice, Skip should know. For eight years, he has been the most divisive voice on the township Board of Trustees. He has refused to work with others on the Board, preferring instead to press ahead with his own very costly political agenda. As we see it, Skip Maccarone is too divisive to serve in a leadership role!

Shelby Township needs a unified voice to move our community forward. Our township's greatness is diluted because the Board of Trustees is not speaking with a unified voice. Look at the soccer dome fiasco. Look at the $50 million "campus" (which Maccarone proposed without discussions with other officials). Look at the way Skip belittles and intimidates residents at Board meetings (remember the "peanut gallery" comment?). Watch how Skip operates on a daily basis, and you will see for yourself what a divisive person he really is.

The Macomb Daily pointed out that Maccarone joined four other so-called "Republicans" in opposing the GOP’s anti-County Executive push. The other three in this Gang of Four were Clinton Township Supervisor Bob Cannon; Harrison Township Supervisor Anthony Forlini; and Macomb Township Supervisor John Brennan.

Why would Skip and Co. rebuff their own party on a crucial issue like this? Could the answer be because it is NOT their party? If you ask around, you will discover that Macomb County Republicans don't actually consider at least three of these four men to be real Republicans.

Consider the following:

- Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon was once a Democrat who served as Clinton Township Trustee. Cannon changed political parties only when he decided to challenge an incumbent for Supervisor.

- Harrison Township Supervisor Anthony Forlini is a Republican by title only. He is not active in the Party and does not attend Republican membership meetings. Not only that, Harrison Township taxpayers complain that Forlini is a very divisive and negative factor on the Harrison Board of Trustees. In fact, one Harrison Township official recently stated at a Board meeting that Harrison Township is secretly being run by Skip Maccarone.

- Shelby Supervisor Skip Maccarone is not a real Republican. He is one in name only. Skip is not active, and does not attend GOP meetings. Besides that, the way Skip has spent, and continues to spend, our tax money is enough to make a liberal Democrat blush.

- Finally, there is John Brennan. As Supervisor of Macomb Township Brennan may be the only true Republican on this list. However, he has changed positions over the years to reflect changing voter demographics in Macomb.

This is certainly a hot political topic with long-term ramifications for our County. The Macomb County Republican Party recently passed a resolution opposing a Wayne County style Executive (as proposed by Democrats) for Macomb County.

Here is how the Macomb GOP's resolution reads:

Macomb County Republican Party's County Executive Resolution

Whereas, the Republican Party has always been dedicated to the democratic principle that government should be of the people, by the people, and for the people;
Whereas; Macomb County has been recognized for the 26th consecutive year as the top Michigan county for providing cost effective innovative services and with a long history of fiscal responsibility earning it a AAA credit rating;
Whereas; Operating as a General Law County Macomb has demonstrated its ability through strong financial management to weather difficult times while maintaining one of the lowest millage rates in the state as well as one of the lowest per capita debt rates in the nation, thus preventing an additional tax burden on its residents;
Whereas; The Macomb County Republican Party recognizes that any additional tax burden and spending would only compound the impact to the citizens of Macomb County; and that budget cuts should be used to provide a balanced county budget;
Whereas; a group known as ‘Charter = County Executive’ has successfully completed a petition drive in support of a vote focused on transforming Macomb County government from its current General Law form into a Charter Wayne County model (the only such model in the state of Michigan);
Whereas; The Macomb County Republican Party opposes the efforts of ‘Charter =County Executive’ based on:
· This model facilitates a tax cap increase whereas other models do not.
· The failure to address the millions of dollars needed to hold ‘charter’ elections.
· The misinformation regarding the increased administrative costs with an additional layer of government and impact on fair representation by all residents.
· Additional costs associated with payment to charter commissioners, staff and professional staff.
· This group misrepresents ‘choice’ by only promoting the charter form of government.
· This model could be presented to the voters in May which has historically been one of the poorest attended election dates.
Therefore; The Macomb County Republican Party opposes the efforts of ‘Charter =County Executive’ in promoting “Charter Form” of county government.

ONE FINAL POINT OF INTEREST
The idea of a Macomb County Executive is something the Maccarone family has supported for a quite some time. When Skip's wife ran for Macomb County Commissioner in 2004, she campaigned in support of the County Executive. We found that to be a rather awkward position for Mrs. Maccarone, who simultaneously claimed to support smaller government.

If you have something you would like to share with us, send us an e-mail to stopskip08@aol.com.

Ideas and insights from citizens like you are vital to keeping our democracy vibrant and strong.